An update from the Newford Demonstration Herd

Iarlaith Collins, Manager of Newford Demonstration Herd joins Catherine Egan on this week’s Beef Edge podcast with an update on the farm. With 89% of the herd proving in calf the focus on the farm at the moment is weaning. Weight gain of the bull weanlings is 1.39kg/head/day from birth to weaning. Extending the grazing season in very important to reduce costs and the winter period on the farm. Teagasc and Dawn Meats, supported by McDonald's and The Irish Farmers Journal have established a standalone suckler herd at Athenry, Co Galway to demonstrate best practice in sustainable suckler beef production. The herd, which is known as the Newford Herd, is run on a fully commercial basis and demonstrates the potential of a moderately large suckler beef farm to generate a viable family farm income when operated to the highest level of technical efficiency and best practice. The herd consists of 100 Angus and Hereford cross Fresian cows, originating from the dairy herd and first calving at 24 months of age. The system is 20-21 months steer beef (Average 350-370kg carcase) and 19 months heifer beef (Average 300kg carcase). For further updates click go to: http://www.newfordsucklerbeef.ie/ For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit the show page at: teagasc.ie/thebeefedge